The extreme discomfort that accompanies getting rid of an addictive substance in a body that has developed physical dependence is also known as withdrawal syndrome. With Cocaine, some people may describe withdrawal as less critical than potent substances such as opioids and benzos, however; it has its own challenges which must not be brushed off.
As Cocaine continues to be the cause of multiple emergency admissions related to drug use – covering about 25% of the total admissions in the United States – it can be understood that the substance has been popularly abused over the years and an effective withdrawal treatment is highly essential to prevent further damage to precious lives.
What Happens During Cocaine Withdrawal
Cocaine is a fast-acting substance that easily penetrates the body and promotes an intense high even after using it only for the first time. With this, it follows that the body can be easily manipulated by the substance – leaving the natural function of the brain to induce pleasure disrupted and unable to work. This state is known as physical dependence.
As soon as this happens, the body responds to the absence of the substance in the system in these three specific ways. The level of intensity varies depending on how long physical dependence has been developed. It would require intense treatment if it has already led to addiction, a state where substance use has negatively impacted behavior.
Intense level of craving for Cocaine
Craving for Cocaine could be so intense as soon as the substance leaves the body. Some people describe it to be so powerful that it makes them resort to getting back to substance use because the discomfort of not doing so is extremely unbearable. This cycle is the most common reason why some people are trapped in the use of Cocaine.
It is such an unfortunate state when individuals who wish to improve the quality of their life fail to get away from the one thing that slowly destroys them. An intense level of craving for Cocaine can be at its strongest in less than an hour after taking the last dose. This extreme craving can continue to persist in weeks or even months.
As withdrawal progresses, cravings may begin to ease down but there is no guarantee for it to be completely gone away. Some people who have already been sober complain about feeling cravings now and then. This swing can be unpredictable and without proper treatment, anyone can fall off to substance use again.
Experts recommend the use of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy during treatment. In this process, personal triggers are identified and intervened, and every person’s coping skills are strengthened. These are the key to getting past the strong temptation to use the substance or overcome the craving no matter how often it hits.
There are also available medicines that physicians prescribe to aid in alleviating the strong cravings. Medication is highly essential because it helps boost the natural neurotransmitters that the brain is deprived of without involving an addictive factor that continues to harm the body just like how Cocaine works.
A shutdown of the ability to feel pleasure
Cocaine has the potential to impair the ability of the brain to release hormones that allow individuals to feel good, motivated, and satisfied. When the body is filled with the substance, the brain is fueled to induce pleasure even to the point of bringing one to the peak of being high. The high can be felt twice stronger when Cocaine is combined with other substances.
The stronger the high is induced, the more critical the brain can suffer when the fuel of Cocaine is reduced or entirely flushed out from the bloodstream. Individuals will in turn feel unable to feel good, motivated, and satisfied. They are likely to withdraw from activities that once used to be interesting and act more isolated and filled with despair.
Some adults even report their inability to experience sexual pleasure. Because a person experiences this and has unstable emotions, it puts them on the fence of being depressed. This can be fatal because people can be susceptible to suicidal ideations which can lead to suicide if left untreated.
Most people resort to abusing Cocaine to cover the underlying mental health disorders they initially experience. They aim to numb themselves from the sadness by maximizing the euphoria brought by the substance. With this condition, withdrawal can require complex treatment later on.
If you are addicted to cocaine and have co-occurring mental disorders, which means you need to have inpatient treatment. Through this, you get 24-hour medical assistance for whatever you need during the process. This is because these conditions need to be closely monitored and medications must be given with constant evaluation of patients’ physical responses.
A general feeling of discomfort
At the onset of withdrawal, anyone can experience a general feeling of discomfort. Experts term this as the Cocaine crash. The person feels great discomfort during a cocaine crash. They experience mood swings, physical pain, and uncontrolled focus. This is a difficult phase because the body is coping with the absence of the drug.
To ensure patient’s safety, getting medical assistance is a must to prevent any suicidal acts. The medical personnel will also help the patient when he feels pain due to withdrawal. This is the reason why personal detox is highly discouraged. Nobody can really predict when complications arise during withdrawal. It is best to have people around to care.
Medications, therapies and counseling, and a healthy lifestyle are things that can be done to achieve a sober life and continuously maintain it. It is important to keep in mind that although withdrawal could really be such a heavy burden to carry, getting past it, in the long run, can surely make one’s life more meaningful.
Professional help is necessary so that one can fully cope with withdrawal from Cocaine. Having a healthcare team is a great advantage to achieve recovery especially with Cocaine which makes relapse highly susceptible even after months of treatment.